This document provides an overview of the self-publishing process from writing a book to marketing and sales. It discusses the traditional publishing route involving agents and publishers versus self-publishing independently or with assistance. Self-publishing allows full creative control but involves significant upfront costs of $5,000-$30,000 for services like editing, design, and formatting. Working with a publisher like Complete Publishing provides distribution to retailers and libraries globally while paying the author higher royalties of 75% without risk of unsold returns. The secret to successful self-publishing is to leverage the expertise of publishers to produce professional books without the difficulties or expenses of doing everything independently.

1. The secrets to
successful self-publishing
From idea to printed book in 4 weeks

2. Publishing 101
step 1: write a book
step 2: find a publisher
step 3: printing
step 4: sales & marketing
step 5: finances

3. writing
where to start?

4. Getting it done
Create your book in normal word processing software (MS
Word, Pages )
Don’t try to write it all in one weekend - set daily or weekly
writing goals.
Novel: 50,000 words
Non-Fiction: 30,000 words
Children's books: focus on story line and illustrations

5. 30,000 words / 2000 words per day = 15 days of non-stop
writing
70,000 words / 2000 words per day = 35 days of non-stop
writing
Also take time for re-writing and editing work
(proofreading for spelling and grammar can be done at 5-10 pages per hour, a more
extensive edit can be done at 1 - 3 pages per hour. Assuming an average of 500 words
per page)

6. Publishing options
it’s up to you

7. How to publish your book
Traditional publishing
Self Publishing
Indie Publishing / Guided Self Publishing

8. Traditional Publishing
Start with a book proposal (plot
summary and first few chapters) to
show what your book will be about
Include a query letter to your proposal
package: Check out this book on writing
query letters
Get an agent (who will take approx. 15%
commission)
Agent will approach publishing houses
to pitch your book
Writer has limited control over the
process

9. Self Publishing
No agent or publishing house
required
No need for book proposal and
pitching brief
Most popular self-service platforms:
Amazon createspace, Lulu, Kindle
direct publishing
Beware of publishing cost to
prepare professional book (up to
$30,000)
You keep full control of the process

10. Guided Self Publishing
Benefits of both previous types:
the reach and distribution of
traditional publishing and the
higher level of control of self-publishing
Upfront and clear knowledge of
publishing cost, no hidden
surprises
www.complete-publishing.com
for our guided self publishing
services

11. Printing
options
Publishing and printing are two different
things…

12. Offset printing
Need to create printing plates
for each book (expensive)
For large print runs (1000 books
or more) this is the best quality
option
Ideal for irregular layouts (page
size, inserts, colour drawings)

13. Print on Demand
Digital printing - directly from
file
Ideal for books with Black &
white text
Each book is printed after it is
sold
Short print runs (up to 1000
books)

14. No Printing
eBook options
Amazon Kindle
BN Nook
Apple iBook
Every ebook service has a
different file type requirement
(ePub, Mobi, PDF)

15. Finances
How much do you earn as author

16. How much does is cost to
make a book?
To create and publish a professional looking book you need to employ
the services of the following professionals:
Copy Editor / Proof reader
Story Editor
Graphic Designer (for book cover and overall layout & design)
Technical support to re-format your book for different sales
platforms
You also need an ISBN Number
http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/05/the-real-costs-of-self-publishing-book/

17. up to $30,000
In terms of costs, pick and choose what you think you need. If you need an editor, but no
marketing, no audio, and no video trailer, then your costs will be cheaper. Without the
video trailer and audio, my costs would’ve been about $20,000. Without an editor and
marketing, my costs would’ve been closer to $5000. If I used Createspace to make my
cover and if I had done the design on my own, my costs would’ve been $0.
!
-James Altucher on self-publishing his book-

18. Royalty payments -
traditional publishing
The author receives an advance
which is to be paid back
through their royalties.
(negotiated in your contract, but
a rule of thumb is: ) Royalties -
10-15% on book price OR
10-15% on net revenue per
book
Agent is paid 10 - 15 % from
your royalties.

19. Self publishing
Your book is for sale in a SINGLE
sales channel. (e.g. amazon.com)
Amazon sales channel share is 40
- 60% of list price.
Amazon sales Fixed charges
depends on page count.
Print charges = $0.012 / page
Your royalty payment is: Full price
- Sales channel share - Fixed
charges - print cost.

20. Complete Publishing
Your book is distributed globally
to 38,000 retailers and 220,000
libraries
We pay all catalog fees and
distribution costs
Your royalty is 75% of net price
(irrespective of where book is
sold )

21. Beware the
returns
don’t get caught out -
May book retailers reserve the right to return
your book to the publisher when it doesn’t sell.
While initially you may think the book has been
sold, you end up with unsold copies of your
book and no royalty payments.
!
Complete Publishing doesn’t allow books to be
returned, to ensure you have full insight into
your sales numbers.

22. So… what is
The secret?
Self publishing doesn’t have to be difficult or
expensive.
Let experienced publishers guide you
through the process.
Your book looks professional - the cover
looks great… nobody will even realise this
book is self published.
Reap the financial benefits of self publishing
without the risks.

23. Don’t wait until
tomorrow for what you
can do today.
Talk to us about publishing your next book
www.complete-publishing.com